Capitol Program and Awards Convocation
The Capitol Program is held each year at the end of the program. Parents, family members, and other guests are invited to attend and watch as Citizens demonstrate projects and knowledge from throughout the week.
The Tangipahoa Parish Convention & Visitors Bureau provides information about hotels and motels and bed & breakfast locations in the area for those who wish to take advantage of the opportunity to explore the surrounding community and sites of interest while visiting.
The 2025 Capitol Program agenda will be released in the weeks leading up to the start of LABS in June.
A sample schedule of the 2024 program may be used as a guide for what to expect. The schedule last year on Saturday, June 29, included:
- Parent Orientation: 9:45 am – 10:00 am
- Local government session: 10:15 am – 10:55 am
- Courts session: 11:05 am – 11:45 am
- Legislature session: 11:55 am – 12:35 pm
- Citizen lunch break: 1:00-2:00 pm
- Awards Convocation: 2:40-3:15 pm
The 2024 Awards Convocation was livestreamed through YouTube.
Between the Capitol Program and Awards Convocation, Boys State Citizens eat lunch together as a program in the campus cafeteria. Parents are encouraged to dine out at any of the many fine restaurants in Hammond but cannot be accommodated in the cafeteria nor can Citizens leave campus at this time.
Departure from campus
After the Awards Convocation ends, Boys State Citizens checkout with program staff and counselors prior to departure.
Citizens who depart the program with parents or by self-driving must be checked out through the program staff while bus riders depart as verified through the American Legion. No Citizen may depart the program without following program checkout procedures to ensure the safety of all program participants.
Bus transportation
Students traveling on buses provided by the American Legion will board and depart as soon as rosters are checked and verified.
Parent pick-up
Any Citizen who leaves on the last day with a parent/guardian must be checked out with the program staff. Please be aware that there may be a short waiting period as we process bus riders. Upon arrival at the checkout location, parents will be directed to lines and checkout completed in the order of arrival.
Citizens may only be checked our by the primary or secondary parent/guardian listed on the Citizen’s registration information unless prior delegated permission is provided. Delegating permission requires parents download, complete, sign, and email back the delegated permission form to laboysstate@gmail.com.
Checkout requires a state or federally issued photo ID (driver’s license, tribal ID card, passport, etc.) be presented by the individual(s) picking up the Citizen.
Self-driving
Citizens who drove themselves to the program will check out with program staff and be returned their vehicle keys once departure is under way.
